Two day winter hike in Mtnasar mountains / Tavush region

We have decided to spent our last winter hike in tents. Our goal was to reach the fortress Mahkanaberd in Mtnasar mountains.

Our starting point was village Achajour. We should have spent our overnight at an altitude of 1620 m, near a small tumble-down house, where no one lives during winter season. It started to snow a few days before our hike and because of it our way became almost impassable. The weather was warm and sunny and the thick layer of snow was melting, which made our way more difficult. On our way there was a long brook, which was formed because of snowmelt and almost everyone was walking around in wet boots.

Overnight on the cold snow

Spending the night around the bonfire was great. We were drying our boots for few hours. It was our first time setting up the tent on the snow and it was a huge experience for us. You learn a lot about your hiking gear, sleeping bag and tent during such hikes and you understand how to prepare for the next time.

Early in the morning we started our hike to the fortress Mahkanaberd. After walking few kilometers we reached the place from where the road went down to the gorge and then up to the hill, where the fortress was. And as the slopes were pretty steep and the snow layer was thick and dangerous, we decided not to risk and turn back to our camp.

Thereby we didin’t reach the fortress, but instead we spent two amazing and unforgettable days in Mtnasar mountains and experienced an overnight on the cold snow.

Mtnasar mountains / geography

Mountains in Tavush region, north-eastern branch of Gugarats mountains. It starts from the mount Paghakn to the territory of Azerbaijan. The length is 38 km. It’s highest summits are: mount Khatutik – 1964 m, Paytatap – 1979 m, Chilis – 1916 m and Aratso – 1868 m. A few streams of the river Karahan start from northern slopes of the mountain and few of Aghstev river from southern slopes.

Mahkanaberd / Berdkar / Photographer Sasun Danielyan

Mahkanaberd / Berdkar

A fortress in Dzoropor (Kayan) district in Gugark province of Great Armenia. It was founded in XII century. In XII-XIII centuries it belonged to Artsruni princely family of Mahkanaberd, bereby the surrounding area of the fortress was called «Gavar (district) Mahkanaberdoy». The walls of the fortress are comparatively well-preserved, but now in architectural terms the monument is not studied. Now it is called Berdkar.

Photographers Tsovinar Hakobyan and Sipan Grigoryan